Pavlyuchenkova and Safarova jumped out to a 6-2, 4-0 lead on the reigning Miami champions before Hingis and Lisicki rallied. They got back on serve at 4-3 but then Pavlyuchenkova and Safarova broke Hingis at love and Safarova held for a 6-2, 6-3 triumph.

Pavlyuchenkova and Safarova converted on five of seven break point opportunities and managed to win 12 of 16 points on their opponents' second serve.

"The conditions are a bit tough, as the balls are flying a bit," Pavlyuchenkova said. "We played well from the baseline but we also did some good stuff at the net. We just had fun. We were playing well, so that helps."

Medina Garrigues and Shvedova were 6-2, 6-2 winners over third-seeded Russians Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina. And while that was technically an upset, Medina Garrigues and Shvedova are a very dangerous team, with a 21-5 record and three WTA titles during their partnership, including two so far this season.

Defending champion Angelique Kerber and the returning Serena Williams headline the acceptance list for the 2017 Australian Open. Meanwhile, Australian teenager Lizette Cabrera and Luksika Kumkhum have earned the first two wildcards.